ashkin release 5.15

May 15, 2012

Voting on New USGBC LEED Rating Systems to Begin June 1 and Last for 30 Days

Bloomington, IN – On May 11, 2012, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) finally released its LEED rating systems for the fourth public comment period, which will be open for comments until May 28, 2012 at 11:59pm ET.

The comment period allows stakeholders as well as those interested in reviewing and commenting on the current rating system to suggest changes. The new rating system should be in place later this year or early next year.

Stephen Ashkin, President of The Ashkin Group and long known as the “father of Green Cleaning,” says, “For this comment period, there are virtually no changes to the cleaning prerequisite or credits compared to those in the previous comment period.”

Ashkin adds that the USGBC is taking comments only on those credits that have changed since the last comment period, “which in the case of the professional cleaning industry is limited to a minor change to the Custodial Effectiveness Credit.”

The next step in the process is the balloting. Businesses and organizations that are members of the USGBC and are allowed to vote can do so June 1 through 30, 2012.

“The USGBC considers effective cleaning, using environmentally safe cleaning products, to be essential to proper building maintenance and the protection of human health. ” says Ashkin. “This is an opportunity for our industry to be directly involved with activities that will impact the environment for years to come. So please exercise your right to vote and let your voice be heard.”

Steve Ashkin is available for interviews, presentations, and commentary on Green Cleaning-related issues, sustainable buildings, industry trends, and facility management. He may be reached by calling (812) 332-7950.

About Stephen Ashkin and The Ashkin Group
Stephen P. Ashkin is president of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specializing in greening the cleaning industry and CEO of Sustainability Tool LLC, an electronic dashboard that allows organizations to measure and report on their sustainability efforts.

He is also coauthor of both The Business of Green Cleaning and Green Cleaning for Dummies.
Ashkin has worked in the cleaning industry since 1981 and has held senior management positions in leading consumer and commercial product companies. He began his work on Green Cleaning in 1990 and today is thought of as the "father of Green cleaning". For more information, visit www.AshkinGroup.com.